S. PAULA, THE BEARDED.
(DATE UNCERTAIN.)
[Venerated at Avila, in Spain, where her relics are preserved. No authority for her story except popular tradition.]
This saint was the daughter of poor parents, near Avila. She was very beautiful, and a youth fell in love with her, and pursued her one day to an oratory, whither she was wont to resort, in the forest. Knowing that his intentions were evil, and that there was no human assistance at hand, according to the popular legend, Paula fled to the crucifix, and, embracing it, besought the Saviour to be her deliverer from the young pursuer. At once a beard sprouted on her chin, and moustaches on her lip. The youth coming in, shortly after, did not recognise her, and asked the bearded personage if he had seen a young damsel pass that way. Paula replied that no one had come into the chapel except herself, whereupon the youth withdrew. It is impossible to say what foundation of truth there is in this curious story, which bears some resemblance to that of S. Wilgifortis (July 20th). The festival of S. Paula is observed on Feb. 20th, at Avila. This story would not deserve notice, but that it is sometimes represented in Spanish art.
S. OLCAN, B. OF DERKAN.[58]
(ABOUT 500.)
[According to Wytford, S. Olcan or Bolcan is on this day commemorated in Ireland. In the Tamlacht Martyrology he is called Olcan; in the Donegal Martyrology he is Bolcan. Authorities:—The Tripartite Life of S. Patrick, and that by Jocelin.]
A wild legend is connected with this saint. His mother is said to have been an Englishwoman, married in Ireland, whose husband died, leaving her pregnant. She fell into a fit, and was buried, as dead. But a certain nobleman, passing near her tomb, heard, from within, the wailing of a child, and, opening it, found that a new-born babe lay by the dead mother. It is probable that this is an exaggeration of the simple fact that Olcan's mother died in childbirth, and that he was taken up by a noble. He grew up to be admitted to holy orders, and to receive episcopal consecration. A certain chief, named Saran, had incurred the malediction of S. Patrick, for having driven him from his territories and overthrown the churches he had erected. Saran, having made many captives in war, would have massacred or sold them, had not Olcan hastened to him to implore him to show pity upon them. Saran answered that he would spare the captives, if Olcan would promise him eternal life. Olcan hesitated. Then Saran gave orders for a general butchery. The bishop, rather than see so much innocent blood flow, consented to baptize Saran on the spot. When S. Patrick heard of this he was very angry that the holy Sacrament of Regeneration should be administered thus to an unrepentant and uninstructed tyrant. Olcan, hearing of S. Patrick's anger, ran to seek him, and, seeing him in his chariot, he fell on his knees and implored pardon. Patrick sternly averted his head. Then Olcan flung himself prostrate in the road before the horses. The driver stopped. Patrick ordered him to whip the horses on. The charioteer replied that he dare not drive over a bishop. Then Patrick, after having reproached Olcan, forgave him.
He is said to have studied in Gaul.
S. ELEUTHERIUS OF TOURNAI, B. M.
(A.D. 531.)
[Roman Martyrology. Additions to Usuardus by Molanus; all modern Martyrologies. Authorities:—A very ancient life written before 880, but not until long after the death of the saint; a second, written before 900; a third by Guibert of Tournai, is late, 1257. The authority of these lives is much diminished by the length of time which elapsed between the death of Eleutherius and their composition.]
Tournai was evangelized by S. Piatus, in 287. During its early history it had seen the blood of martyrs shed. The Vandals had taken possession of it in 407; then it had become the principal seat of the Salic Franks. In the reign of Childeric, there lived in this city a rich and noble citizen, named Serenus, with his wife, Blanda. They had been converted from heathenism, and they honoured the religion they had adopted by their virtues, and especially by their abundant charity to the poor and infirm. In 456, they became parents of a son, whom they named Eleutherius. All their care tended towards educating him in every science befitting his condition. The young Eleutherius so thoroughly responded to their hopes, that S. Medard, who frequented along with him the school of S. Quentin, foretold that his friend would one day become a bishop.